THE HERITAGE IMAGE REGISTER»HERITAGE PHOTO ARCHIVE MAIN COLLECTION»LAKE DISTRICT & CUMBRIA»Leven Valley, Backbarrow Ironworks

Backbarrow Ironworks: "One of the oldest continuously worked ironmaking sites in Britain ... There was a weir and bloomery forge here around 1685 & then a blast furnace and refinery 1711-12. Charcoal was used as a fuel until about 1920 (hence the huge amount of coppicing locally KH) when coke was substituted. The present furnace (the one illustrated KH) ceased production in 1967. In 1870 the original charcoal furnace was in operation with a waterwheel driving iron bellows." (Industrial Archaeology of the Lake Counties, M Davies-Shiel & JD Marshall, David & Charles 1969. Important association with John Wilkinson, the ironmaster. (We have many more photos of the Ironworks, For more images use the site SEARCH box and search for Backbarrow)